Persian-style lacquered ewer

Maker unknown · Coiled wooden body, black lacquer, silver heidatsu inlay; metal handle with silver hyōgo chain · Dedicated to Tōdai-ji in 756 · Shōsō-in Treasures, North Section 43

Start with the silhouette from the side: the bird-head lid and handle follow a West Asian ewer, while the surface is East Asian black lacquer and silver.

Exhibition: The 78th Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures — Nara National Museum · 2026-10-24 – 2026-11-09